Nectarine tree named ‘NECTARNOVALA’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree denominated ‘NECTARNOVALA’ has fruits with high eating quality and very long shelf life without alteration before and after harvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh comprising a red pigmentation, and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a high percentage of purple red blush on skin surface.

Botanical classification: Prunus persica (L.) Batsch.

Variety denomination: ‘NECTARNOVALA’.

This application claims priority of Community plant variety right No.2014/3176 filed on Nov. 27, 2014 which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of whitenectarine tree, Prunus persica (L.) Batsch, which has been given thevariety denomination ‘NECTARNOVALA’. This new tree produces fruits witha long shelf life without alteration both on the tree after growthcompletion and after harvesting, very good eating quality, clingstonewhite flesh fruits with red pigmentation for fresh market in July in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France. Contrast is made to ‘NECTARBOOM’white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 23,355) for reliabledescription. ‘NECTARNOVALA’ is a promising candidate for commercialsuccess in that it has very attractive fruits with very long shelf lifewithout alteration both before and after harvesting.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The ‘NECTARNOVALA’ white nectarine tree originated from a cultivatedarea of the south of France, in the Pyrénées-Orientales department,where it was tested.

This place is under a Mediterranean climate (a temperate area), on theMediterranean coastline. Winters are gentle and summers warm and dry.The amount of days with temperatures below 7° Celsius can vary between600 and 1200 hours per year. The place is sunny, with 2400 to 2800 hoursof sunny days per year on average. The prevailing wind is called‘Tramontane’: it dries the air, clears the sky from clouds, but itsintensity can be strong and affect the harvest, fruit quantity and/orquality. Marine moisture does not affect the place. Precipitations areirregular through the year and from one year to another. The amount ofrainy days does not exceed 80 days per year, and are mostly found inSpring and Autumn. In May and October, very intense precipitationsoccasionally happen. Summer is dry with a few thunderstorms.

The ‘NECTARNOVALA’ variety resulted from a pollinated cross between the‘NECTAVISTA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,139) yellow nectarine tree, whichwas used as the seed parent, and the ‘NECTARFLORA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No.22,504) white nectarine tree which was used as the pollen parent.

The ‘NECTARNOVALA’ variety was obtained by hybridizing and propagated bygrafting on a “INRA GF677” rootstock trees. It has been determined tohave unique tree and fruit characteristics making it worthy forcommercial fresh fruit production. There are no known effects of thestandard rootstock trees set forth above on the scion cultivar.Asexually propagated plants remained true to the original tree and allcharacteristics of the tree and the fruit were transmitted. The plantwas reproduced asexually by us in Les Régalines, Route d'Alenya, LaPrade de Mousseillous, 66200 ELNE, Pyrénées-Orientales, France. Moreparticularly, the plant was reproduced by grafting.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety ‘NECTARNOVALA’ white nectarine tree bloomsat the end of February or early in March near Elne in thePyrénées-Orientales department, France. More particularly, it bloomsbetween February 18^(th) and March 16^(th). The blooming period isconsidered early. However, it was observed that its early date ofblooming seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

The first fruit of ‘NECTARNOVALA’ ripens generally at the end of June orduring the first two weeks of July, approximately 5 to 7 day after theripening of the first fruit of ‘NECTARBOOM’ white nectarine tree (U.S.Plant Pat. No. 23,355). More particularly, it usually ripens betweenJune 22^(nd) and July 18^(th). Thus, the time of maturity of fruits forconsumption is considered early. However, it was observed that its earlydate of maturity seems to be highly dependant on climatic conditions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the accompanying drawing, which are as nearly true as it isreasonably possible to make in a color illustration of this type:

FIG. 1 is a color photograph showing a branch of a tree of the newvariety in orchard, bearing fruits.

FIG. 2 is a color photograph which shows four typical specimens of thefruit, one having been cut in half with the pit being left into the halffor depicting fruit flesh and pit of the new variety.

FIG. 3 is a color photograph which depicts the flower buds at differentdevelopment stages, and the reverse and side view of the flower and thereproductive organs with petals removed, of the new variety.

FIG. 4 is a color photograph that shows different views of the stone ofthe new variety ‘NECTARNOVALA’.

Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves andfruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate whencompared to the actual botanical specimen.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The tree, flowers, and fruit may vary in slight detail due to variationsin soil type, cultural practices, and climatic condition. The potentialfor commercial production of fresh fruits by ‘NECTARNOVALA’ is high, dueto fruit very long shelf life without alteration after harvesting.

Trees are medium vigorous and large stature half-standing in asemi-flared to semi-upright out aspect. The anthocyanic coloration offlowering shoot is present excluding brushwood side away from sun. Thetime of beginning of flowering is considered early; flowering begins atthe end of February. The type of flower is showy (rosette) with mediumpetal size. Petals are pale pink. Leaf glands are present and reniform.The fruit flesh is white generally with a red pigmentation. The fruitskin is very thick, with a red purple blush on a red orange background.The stone is clingstone and the size is medium to large. Fruit taste issemi-sweet, very aromatic and with a high level of sugars.

Compared to ‘NECTARBOOM’ white nectarine tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No.23,355), ‘NECTARNOVALA’ ripens approximately 5 to 7 days after.Moreover, the flowers of ‘NECTARNOVALA’ are showy type (rosette) whereas‘NECTARBOOM’ variety has a non-showy type of flowers (campanulate).‘NECTARNOVALA’ variety produces a higher quantity of both flowers andfruits than ‘NECTARBOOM’ variety.

Compared to its female parent ‘NECTAVISTA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 21,139),which is a yellow nectarine tree, the new variety ‘NECTARNOVALA’ is awhite nectarine tree. The fruits of ‘NECTARNOVALA’ are bigger in size(homogenous 2A) in comparison with the fruits of ‘NECTAVISTA’(homogenous AA-A).

Compared to its male parent ‘NECTARFLORA’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 22,504),which has round leaf glands, the leaf glands of the new variety‘NECTARNOVALA’ are reniform. The bloom quantity for the variety‘NECTARFLORA’, more than 45 flowers per meter, is higher than the bloomquantity for ‘NECTARNOVALA’, which is typically between 35 and 40flowers per meter. Moreover, the ‘NECTARFLORA’ variety is considered tohave a semi-low chilling requirement whereas the new variety‘NECTARNOVALA’ has a medium to high chilling requirement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new anddistinct variety of white nectarine tree, the following was observed ontrees in their third and fourth growing seasons (second and third yearsof production) for trees, fruits, leaves and stones and in their thirdgrowing season (second year of production) for flowers under theecological conditions prevailing at the orchards located near the townof Elne, Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. All observations havebeen done on rootstock cultivars. Used rootstocks were “INRA GF677”trees. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S.Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal HorticulturalSociety of Great Britain.

-   Tree:    -   -   Size.—Generally. — Considered large. The tree size the first            year was approximately 250 cm. The tree was pruned during            each following dormant season to a height of approximately            250 cm. Current season shoots growth could reach 60 to            80 cm. The tree size from the second year (second and next            years) reached a final height of 310 to 330 cm including            current season shoots length. The tree size is consistently            reduced to 250 cm the next years.        -   Spread.—Approximately 100 cm with a cylindrical shape. The            whole orchard was oriented to a central leader organization,            with tree lines spaced of 4.0 meters and trees spaced of 1.0            meter in a same tree line. As a result, tree spread was            about 100 cm and the orchard contained 2500 trees by            hectare.        -   Vigor.—Considered medium vigorous.        -   Productivity.—Very Productive and regular, every year. Fruit            set is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit            into the desired market sized fruit. The number of the fruit            set varies with the prevailing climatic conditions and            cultural practices employed during the bloom period, and is            therefore not distinctive of the present variety.        -   Bearer.—Very regular. The fruit distribution is considered            homogenous on mixed branches and spurs having more than 1            year. Thinning of 1 fruit out of 3 was necessary for the            tree valorisation. Thinning was necessary every year during            the years of observation.        -   Form.—The ‘NECTARNOVALA’ variety has naturally a semi-flared            to semi-upright shape.        -   Density.—Considered dense.        -   Hardiness.—The present tree was grown and evaluated in            France. The variety appears to be hardy under the central            Pyrénées-Orientales departement typical climatic conditions.            Experimentations on different sites with winter chilling            requirement comprised between 350 hours and 1200 hours            showed a good behaviour of the tree in all cases. No damages            were caused by ascertained temperatures as low as −12            degrees Celsius in winter. The tree was also very resistant            to frosty springtime weather.-   Trunk:    -   -   Diameter.—Between 6.5 and 7.5 centimeters in diameter when            measured at a distance of approximately 30 centimeters above            the soil level.        -   Bark texture.—Considered smooth to rough, with lenticels.        -   Lenticels.—Numerous lenticels are present. The number of            lenticels reaches 3 or 4 lenticels per cm². The lenticels            range in size from approximately 4.0 millimeters to 6.0            millimeters in width, and approximately 2.0 millimeters in            height.        -   Lenticel color.—The outside of lenticels has a silver-grey            color (RHS Grey 201 C), whereas the inside is considered            brown (RHS Greyed Orange 167 A to RHS Greyed Orange 167 B).        -   Bark coloration.—The bark has a silver-grey color (RHS Grey            201 A to RHS Grey 201 B) slightly darker than the outside of            lenticels color.-   Branches:    -   -   Size.—Mature branches and current season shoots are            considered medium for the variety.        -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other nectarine varieties.            The current season shoots have a diameter from 5.0 to 7.0            millimeters, and branches of the second year have a diameter            from 11.0 to 15.0 millimeters.        -   Surface texture.—Average, wood which is several years old            has no furrowed appearance. A few furrows appear on the            trunk.        -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable, but            the crotch angles are generally between 40 degrees and 60            degrees from the horizontal axis. This particular            characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,            however.        -   Current season shoots.—Internode length: Generally between            25.0 and 30.0 millimeters. Color of mature branches: Medium            brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A).        -   Current seasons shoots.—Color. — The color of new shoot tips            is considered a pale yellow-green (RHS Yellow Green N144 A)            on lower part of new shoot tips, whereas the upper part is            darker and colored in brown-purple (RHS Greyed Purple 183            A).-   Leaves:    -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the species. The ratio leaf            length/leaf width is 3.62.        -   Leaf length.—Approximately 117.0 to 153.0 millimeters with            leaf petiole. The medium length is 141.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf width.—Approximately 34.0 to 43.0 millimeters. The            medium width is 39.0 millimeters.        -   Leaf base shape.—Concave.        -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.        -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.        -   Leaf color.—Upper leaf surface. — Dark Green (RHS Green 147            A). Lower surface. — A lighter green (RHS Green 146 A to RHS            Green 146 B) than the upper leaf surface color.        -   Leaf texture.—Smooth and glabrous.        -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.        -   Mid-vein.—Color. — Light green, almost yellow (RHS Yellow            Green 150 D). The color may evolve with maturity.        -   Leaf margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Form.—Considered slightly dentate.        -   Uniformity.—Leaves are isolated or grouped by 2 or 3. In            this last case, one leaf of normal size is found with one or            two smaller leaves (at least 50% smaller).        -   Leaf petioles.—Size. — Considered medium. Length. — About            10.0 to about 13.0 millimeters. Diameter. — About 1.5 to 2.0            millimeters.        -   Petioles color.—Upper petiole surface. — Light green (RHS            Yellow Green 144 A to RHS Yellow Green 144 B). Lower            surface. — Light green (RHS Yellow Green 144C).        -   Leaf glands.—Size. — Considered medium. Their length is            about 1.2 millimeters and their width is about 1.0            millimeter. Number. — Generally 2 or 3 glands per leaf.            Type. — Reniform. Color. — On young leaves, leaf glands            color is considered a light green (RHS Yellow Green 144 B to            RHS Yellow Green 144 A). On older leaves, leaf glands color            turns to a dark brown (RHS Grey Brown 199 A to RHS Grey            Brown 199 B). Margins. — Smooth and regular.        -   Leaf stipules.—Generally. — No leaf stipules were observed.            But as seen in the characteristic relative to the leaves            uniformity, it is possible to find leaves by groups of 2 or            3, with a normal-size leaf and smaller ones.-   Flowers:    -   -   Flower buds.—Generally. — At pre-floral stage of            development, the floral buds are conic in form with a round            tip. Their form is evolving until blooming, with variables            dimensions. Just before blooming, floral buds are            approximately 12.0 millimeters wide and approximately 20.0            millimeters long. Color. — This characteristic is dependent            upon the proximity to bloom. At pre-floral stage (stage A)            of development, the bottom of the flowers buds, formed by            the sepals, is of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183            A or RHS Greyed Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or            RHS Greyed Purple 187 B and RHS Grey Brown Group 199 A at            the base). The corolla, formed by the petals, is generally            of medium pink color (RHS Red Purple 65 B). Petals color            shows an evolution until the end of flowering.        -   Hardiness.—The buds are considered hardy under typical            central Pyrénées-Orientales departement climatic conditions.            No winter injury was noted during the last several years of            evaluation in the central Pyrénées-Orientales departement,            with winter temperatures as low as −10 degrees Celsius in            January. The current variety has not been intentionally            subjected to drought or heat stress, but the variety showed            a very good resistance in orchard to temperatures up to 42            degrees Celsius with an average temperature between 28 and            30 degrees Celsius during 3 weeks in summer.        -   Date of bloom.—The blooming time generally begins at the end            of February. The bloom was observed on 2014 between February            28^(th) and March 2^(nd).        -   Blooming time.—Considered early-season in relative            comparison to other commercial nectarine cultivars grown in            the Pyrénées-Orientales departement, France. The date of            full bloom is observed at the middle of the blooming period.            The date of bloom varies slightly with climatic conditions            and cultural practices. Thus the first full bloom was            observed on 2013, from February 20^(th) until February            28^(th) and then from Feb. 28 until Mar. 2, 2014 and from            Mar. 3 until Mar. 16, 2015.        -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 13 days. This            characteristic varies slightly with the prevailing climatic            conditions.        -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type            flower (rosette type).        -   Flower size.—Considered medium to large. Flower diameter at            full bloom is approximately 38.0 to 42.0 millimeters.        -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant, approximately between            35 and 40 flowers per meter, with a good distribution and a            high rate of fruit set.        -   Flower bud frequency.—Generally 2 flower buds appear per            node, occasionally 1.        -   Petal size.—Generally. — Considered medium to large.        -   Length.—Generally between 20.0 and 22.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Generally between 19.0 and 21.0 millimeters.        -   Petal form.—Round-shaped.        -   Petal count.—Generally 5.        -   Petal texture.—Smooth, soft and glabrous.        -   Petal color.—Both surfaces of the petal are colored with a            medium pink (RHS Red Purple 65 B to RHS Red Purple 65 D)            when young, becoming slightly darker until the end of            blooming.        -   Fragrance.—Sweet.        -   Petal claw.—Form. — The claw is considered to have a conic            form, with a slightly curved tip. Length. — Approximately            1.5 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 1.0 millimeters.            Color. — The color of petal claw is darker than the petal            color (RHS Red Purple 61 B).        -   Petal margins.—Slightly undulating.        -   Petal apex.—Generally. — The petal apices are generally wide            dome-shaped.        -   Flower pedicel.—Length. — Considered medium to large and            having an average length of approximately 2.0 millimeters.            Diameter. — Considered average, approximately 1.5            millimeters. Color. — Green (RHS Yellow Green N144 A to RHS            Yellow Green N144 B).        -   Calyx.—Internal surface texture. — Smooth and glabrous.            Color. — At the stage F of blooming, when the flower is            open, the inner surface of the calyx is greenish yellow (RHS            Yellow Group 13A to RHS Yellow Group 13B or Yellow Orange            Group 17A or RHS Yellow Green 150 A to RHS Yellow Green 150            B). The outer surface of the calyx is considered of            purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or RHS Greyed            Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS Grey Purple            187 B and RHS Yellow Green 144 A to B at the base).        -   Sepals.—Number. — Generally five sepals. Surface texture. —            The outer surface has a short, fine pubescent texture.            Margins. — Smooth. Form. — Conic with a round tip. Size. —            Average. Length. — Approximately 5.0 to 6.0 millimeters.            Width. — Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters. Color. — At            the stage F of blooming, the inner surface of the sepals is            greenish yellow (RHS Yellow Group 13A to RHS Yellow Group            13B or Yellow Orange Group 17A or RHS Yellow Green 150 A to            RHS Yellow Green 150 B). The outer surface of the sepals is            considered of purple-brown color (RHS Greyed Purple 183 A or            RHS Greyed Purple 183 B or RHS Greyed Purple 183 C or RHS            Grey Purple 187 B and RHS Yellow Green 144 A to B at the            base).        -   Average number of stamens per flower.—Approximately 38 to 42            stamens per flower.        -   Anthers.—Generally. — Small to medium in length. Color. — At            the beginning of maturity, anthers show an orange yellow            color (RHS Yellow Orange 16 A to RHS Yellow Orange B) or red            to red orange color (RHS Red Group N34 A or RHS Greyed Red            Group 178 A). The color may evolve with maturity to turn in            a red orange color. Pollen production: Pollen is abundant,            and has an orange yellow color (Approximately RHS Yellow            Orange 17 B to RHS Yellow Orange 17C) which may evolve with            maturity. The present variety is considered auto-fertile            (self-pollinating).        -   Filaments.—Size. — Medium length, between 10.0 and 15.0            millimeters in length. Filaments length is generally higher            to the pistil's length.        -   Color.—Considered light pink (approximately RHS Red Purple            62 C to RHS Red Purple 62 D or RHS Red Purple 73 A to RHS            Red Purple 73 B). The color becomes darker during the            blooming.        -   Pistil.—Number. — Usually 1. Generally. — Average in size.            Length. — Approximately 15.0 to 18.0 millimeters including            the ovary. Generally equal to stamen length, if not slightly            smaller. Color. — Considered a very pale green (RHS Yellow            Green Group 151 D) at the beginning of flowering, it becomes            lighter and lighter (RHS Yellow Green 150 D) during the            blooming and sometimes very slightly pinky (RHS Red Group            36D) at the end of the blooming. Surface texture. —            Glabrous.-   Fruit:    -   -   Maturity when described.—Very firm in ripe conditions            (shipping ripe).        -   Date of first picking.—Jul. 10, 2013.        -   Date of last picking.—The date of harvest varies slightly            with the prevailing climatic conditions. The ‘NECTARNOVALA’            variety has an early date of picking, and a grouped            maturity. The maturity is grouped within 9 days and the            harvest is generally performed in two runs. Last known            picking times carry on from Jul. 10 to Jul. 18, 2013, then            from Jun. 23 to Jul. 1, 2014 and from Jun. 24 to Jul. 2,            2015.        -   Size.—Generally. — Homogeneous in size. Generally main size            2A.        -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 68.0 to 76.0            millimeters.        -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 63.0 to 71.0            millimeters.        -   Typical weight.—Generally about 180.0 to 230.0 grams. This            characteristic is high dependent upon the prevailing            cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly            distinctive of the variety.        -   Fruit form.—Generally. — Round to slightly oblong. The fruit            is generally uniform in symmetry, viewed from the suture's            plane. Fruit suture: Wide-mouthed and slightly marked,            extending from the base to the apex. No apparent callousing            or stitching exists along the suture line. Not pointed.        -   Suture.—Color. — The suture has generally a similar color to            the whole fruit color, a luminous purple red (RHS Greyed            Purple 187 A).        -   Ventral surface.—Form. — Smooth.        -   Apex.—Non-prominent, generally slightly depressed.        -   Base.—Semi-flared, shallow.        -   Stem cavity.—Average depth of the stem cavity is about 10.0            to 13.0 millimeters. Average width is about 16.0 to 19.0            millimeters.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness. — Considered very thick and strong,            and the adherence of skin to flesh is strong to medium,            depending on the fruit maturity. Texture. — Glabrous. Taste.            — Semi-sweet, aromatic, with a high level of sugars.            Tendency to crack. — None observed.        -   Color.—Blush color. — This blush color is a luminous and            homogenous purple red (RHS Greyed Purple 187 A). The red            blush covers 80% to 95% of the fruit skin surface on an            orange red background (RHS Orange Red N34 A). The percentage            of the blush on the fruit skin surface can vary, and is            generally dependant upon the prevailing conditions under            which the fruit was grown. Ground color. — The ground color            covers approximately 5 to 20% of the fruit skin surface, and            is considered orange red (RHS Orange Red N 34 A).        -   Fruit stem.—Medium in length, approximately 9.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 4.0 to 5.0 millimeters.        -   Color.—Pale green (RHS Yellow Green 145 A).        -   Flesh.—Ripens. — Very homogenously, slowly. The flesh has a            long shelf life. Texture. — Very firm, very dense, crunchy,            melting, juicy at harvest maturity stage. Fibers. — Not            fibrous. Aroma. — Pronounced. Eating quality. — Considered            very good and aromatic. Flavor. — Considered semi-sweet and            very aromatic. The Brix is generally superior to 13 and            acidity comprised between 6 and 9 meq/100 ml. Juice. — Very            juicy at complete maturity. Brix. — Generally 14.0 to 18.0            degrees. This characteristic varies slightly with the number            of fruit per tree; prevailing cultural practices; and the            surrounding climatic conditions. Flesh color. — White flesh            (RHS White 155 B) usually with a red pigmentation (RHS Red            47 A).-   Stone:    -   -   Type.—Clingstone, more or less adherent depending on the            fruit maturity.        -   Size.—Considered medium to large for the variety. The stone            size varies significantly depending upon the tree vigor,            crop load and prevailing growing conditions.        -   Length.—Approximately 33.0 millimeters.        -   Width.—Approximately 24.0 millimeters.        -   Diameter.—Approximately 20.0 millimeters.        -   Form.—Elliptic.        -   Base.—Straight.        -   Apex.—Shape. — The stone apex is short, pointed. Stone            Cavity: Considered medium to large size, with an ovate-form            and dimensions corresponding to the stone's dimensions.            Stone surface: Surface texture. — The pit is transversely            furrowed on its entire surface. Furrows are more pronounced            toward the apex. The stone is pitted toward the base. Relief            is prominent generally and present basally. Ridges. — The            surface texture is generally characterized by more prominent            ridges along the ventral edges and is more prominent at the            apical tip.        -   Ventral edge.—Width. — Considered small to medium, and            having a dimension of approximately 2.0 millimeters at            mid-suture.        -   Dorsal edge.—Shape. — Grooved. Stone color: The color of the            dry stone is generally considered light orange brown (RHS            Greyed Orange 164 C).        -   Tendency to split.—Splitting is very low or absent,            depending on climatic conditions between blooming period and            stone hardening.        -   Kernel.—Size. — The kernel is considered medium. Length. —            Approximately 17.0 millimeters. Width. — Approximately 9.0            millimeters. Thickness. — Approximately 5.0 millimeters.            Form. — Considered oblate and elliptic. Pellicle. — The            pellicle of the kernel has a short pubescence. Color. — The            kernel skin is a orange-brown (RHS Greyed Orange N167 A or            RHS Greyed Orange N167 B). The almond, which is the seed of            the kernel, is orange white (RHS Orange White 159 D) and has            a bitter tasting. The kernel and its embryo are mature at            the time of fruit maturity.        -   Use.—The subject variety ‘NECTARNOVALA’ is considered to be            a nectarine tree of the early season of maturity, and which            produces fruits that are considered firm, attractively            colored with a very luminous purple red. Fruits have a            semi-sweet taste and are excellent for uncooked consumption,            crunchy or melting when at full maturity. Fruits have            excellent gustative qualities. Due to their flesh quality,            firmness and density, they can also be commercialized as            4^(th) range product (packed fruit or fruit in bags for            example). And they are also useful for both local and very            long distance shipping.        -   Keeping quality.—Remarkable. Fruit have a slow maturation            and a long shelf life both on the tree after growth            completion and after harvesting without alteration. After            growth completion, fruits are preserved more than one week.            After harvest, fruits are well preserved more than 4 weeks            at 2.0 degree Celsius.        -   Shipping quality.—Considered very good. The fruit of the new            white nectarine variety showed minimal bruising of the flesh            or skin damage after being subjected to normal harvesting            and packing procedures. Its resistance to handling during            harvest and packing and its long shelf life without            alteration after harvest easily permit 3 to 4 weeks-shipping            at 2 degrees Celsius.        -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular            susceptibilities were noted. The present variety is not very            sensitive to powdery mildew, or conservation diseases and            decay due to its thick and strong skin. Although the new            variety of nectarine tree possesses the described            characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions            prevailing near Elne, Pyrénées-Orienteles departement,            France, it should be understood that variations of the usual            magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing            conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control and            horticultural management are to be expected.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of white nectarine tree asillustrated and described, characterized by fruits with high eatingquality and very long shelf life without alteration before and afterharvesting, with a semi-sweet white flesh comprising a red pigmentation,and an attractive luminous and homogenous skin with a high percentage ofpurple red blush on skin surface.